Who’s No. 1 in way-too-early Power 5 football rankings for the Rock Hill area?

The road to the state championship begins Thursday, when South Carolina high school football teams start spring drills.

The Rock Hill area lived up to its “Football City USA” nickname a year ago, when Northwestern powered its way to a perfect season (14-0) and a Class 5A/Division 2 state championship.

South Pointe came within one game of the state championship, falling in the 4A Upper State finals.

So what will happen this fall, and what will area coaches be looking for when practice begins Thursday?

We’ll take a stab at how things will unfold next fall, offering our way-too-early Power 5 football rankings.

These rankings are based on the personnel expected to be on rosters next year and don’t take into account any incoming or outgoing transfers.

No. 1 Northwestern

How can you pick against the Trojans?

It’s easy, actually. QB Finley Polk (3,712 passing yards, 46 touchdowns) won’t be back. Nor will WR Jayden Nichols (1,107 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns), LB Will Massey (97 tackles), or PK Matthew Fish (77-of-77 extra points, 12-of-14 field goals).

Let’s assume, for a moment, that head coach Page Wofford, a proven winner, can find a quarterback. If so, Northwestern should have enough weapons to be a state power once again.

It’ll start with RB Zymier Gordon-Miles (1,264 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns), who will be a junior next season. Also back are WR Kameron Vance (1,126 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns) and CB Tamarion Watkins (75 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions).

This prediction could detonate if the Trojans can’t find a QB. But the guess is that Northwestern will reload effectively.

2. South Pointe

It would be foolish not to mention that RB Mason Pickett-Hicks, who rushed for 2,665 yards and 30 touchdowns last fall, will be at S.C. State this fall.

But the Stallions, 11-3 a year ago, will still be loaded in 2025.

QB Cam McMillon, who battled injuries for part of last season, still managed to throw for 2,580 yards and 31 touchdowns, to just four interceptions. He completed 66% of his passes, and one of his leading receivers, Dailan Duncan (64 catches, 779 yards) is back.

But it’s the South Pointe defense that could really be loaded.

The returnees include K.J. Burke (134 tackles, 11 tackles for loss), DeQuan Evans (95 tackles) and Seth Tillman (15.5 sacks).

South Pointe should be a 4A state power.

3. Indian Land

Looking for a team ready to take a big step forward? Indian Land is your team.

The Warriors were 6-6 last season, and coach Adam Hastings has just about everyone returning.

Indian Land took some lumps last fall with a freshman, Matt Kucia, at quarterback. But Kucia threw for 1,400 yards and is likely to take a big step forward in 2025.

Also returning is one of the state’s top running backs, Jamol Horton (1,374 yards). He’ll be joined by a potential all-state WR in Sequel Patterson (52 catches, 758 yards) and another good receiver in Lavoris Lucas.

Most of the defense is back, and Indian Land appears poised to make some noise in Class 5A/Division 2.

4. Catawba Ridge

This pick falls into the speculation category.

Logic says the Copperheads will slip from their 8-4 record in 2024, with QB C.J. Couch (3,096 yards, 33 touchdowns) graduated.

But the returnees include a pair of excellent receivers, in Darius Sutton and Colton McCauley. And the team’s three leading tacklers are back — Nolan Jones (132 tackles, 7.5 for loss), Alex Johnson (77 tackles) and Tyler Gindoff (75 tackles).

Catawba Ridge’s situation is a bit like Northwestern’s. The Copperheads need someone to step in at quarterback. But they’ll have enough talent elsewhere to make some noise.

5. Andrew Jackson

If there were competition in Mario Kart (the video game), Andrew Jackson would be a powerhouse. The Volunteers are good in everything, it seems.

They were a disappointing 4-7 last season but caught fire late in the season and made a Class 2A playoff run. The returnees will include 1,000-yard rusher Damias Seegars and LB Kamron McGill, who had 98 tackles, including 11 sacks.

They’ll need to find a quarterback and will have to avoid injuries, but Andrew Jackson is likely to give Cheraw a battle in Region 4 2A.

Honorable mention: Lewisville, Chester, Rock Hill